CHAPTER I

In this chapter, the researchers discussed the introduction, the objectives,

the hypotheses, the significance, scope and delimitation, and the locale of the study.

Introduction

As years go by, the world is getting hotter and the weather is becoming more

unstable. Typhoons are getting stronger than the last, destroying livelihood, homes

and in worst cases taking lives. Scientific understanding of global warming is

increasing. In 2014, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

reported that scientists were more than 95% certain that global warming is being

caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases and other

anthropogenic activities. Human activities are the major contributor to global

warming. Because of continuous modernization of technology, a lot of inventions

and discoveries had been introduced and accepted by the society. Technology had

enabled manufacturers to turn out almost endless lists of products requiring more

wood, minerals and energy.

The demand for paper had steadily increased with the spread of education and

the growth of industry. Which means more paper than ever will be made and used

in the near future. One of the challenges in sufficing the growing demand of papers

is to provide enough supply of cellulose fibered material. The world is filled with

forests and millions of trees are cut due to the growing demand of industries that

use wood for their product such as lumbers for house building, furniture and paper

1
making. That's why the use of corn husk as an alternative raw material for paper

making is adequate to fill those insufficiency of the supply such as woods.

Worldwide consumption of wood products has risen to 64% since 1961. By

2050, it is expected that the demand will be doubled to keep up with population

growth. Scientists believe that the depletion of rainforests is having a large negative

impact on carbon monoxide level and greenhouse effect. Deforestation has released

an estimated 120 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), the major global warming

gas; into the atmosphere. (U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, Agricultural

Handbook, No. 72) Upon dealing with the problem, paper bags made from corn

husk is the main focus of the study.

The common raw material in making paper bags is wood. Paper is commonly

made out of cellulose fibers. Corn husk is made up of approximately 44% cellulose,

with low lignin content, giving it the capability of being used as raw material in

pulp and paper making. The fiber length of corn husk is similar to hard wood fibers

that is when used in making paper, will have high mechanical strength and tearing

resistance. (Fagbemigun, et al., 2014) Given the fact that corn husk is a potential

raw material in paper making, this research aims to develop paper bags using the

paper made from corn husk as an alternative to paper bags made from wood.

Corn husks are classified as waste with no beneficial importance. After

harvest, these are discarded and constitute a menace to the environment. The

present study therefore seeks to investigate the feasibility of paper bags made from

corn husk in terms of weight capacity, tear strength, and resistance to water. In this

2
way, the waste of the corn husk will be lessen, and so are the trees cut, used in

manufacturing paper.

Objectives

This study aims to make a paper bag out of corn husk paper as an alternative

to wood paper in making paper bags. Specifically, it aims to answer the following

objectives:

1. To test the weight capacity in terms of grams, tear strength, and resistance

to water of the paper bag made from corn husks.

2. To compare with wood paper bag with the paper bag made from corn husks

in terms of weight capacity in terms of grams, tear strength, and resistance

to water.

Hypothesis

This study premised on the following assumptions:

 HI Paper bags made from corn husk are durable.

 HI The qualities of paper bags made from corn husks has no significant

difference to wood paper bags

Significance of the Study

This study will benefit the following:

Businessmen. This study will give them an idea on getting extra income by

selling paper bags made from corn husks

3
 Farmers. This study will give an idea to the farmers on how to gain extra

income especially those who farm or harvest corn. They will be able to sell

these paper bags to future manufacturers of corn husk paper bags.

Future Researchers. The result of the study will serve as reference for other

researchers who will engage and give similar insights to the study.

Local Government Units. This study will present a new variety of paper bag

which can help resolve the problem in the disposal of the corn husks.

Scope and Delimitation

The researchers conducted the study at Goa, Camarines Sur. It is appropriate

for the researchers to conduct the study in the said location because of the

availability of materials to be used in the research. The study was conducted within

the month of October.

The researchers focused the study on making small to medium sized paper

bags from corn husk. It is delimited to be used in packaging small objects.

4
 CHAPTER II

This chapter discusses the review of related literature and studies used as

references by the researchers in conducting the study. It also includes the synthesis

of the art, the conceptual framework of the research and the definition of terms that

is useful in understanding words that are used throughout the research.

Review of Related Literature and Studies

2.1 Related Literature

Based from various books, online journals, and other related literature

materials that were gathered by the researchers, with the help of different websites

that the researchers visited, and related literatures similar to the study, this section

of the chapter will be devoted to a review of such studies as they are related to the

present day.

2.1.1 Corn Husk as An Alternative Raw Material for Paper Making

Husks of maize or corn, peeled off and discarded after harvest,

constitute a menace to the environment because they are classified as waste

with no beneficial importance. Corn husk is used in many different ways in

various countries example of which is the country of Nigeria where they

used disposed corn husks as their alternative raw material for making paper.

Another is the country of Mexico where they use corn husks as food

wrappers for preserving their food.

5
2.1.2 Demand of Wood for Paper Making

Producing more paper from agricultural waste will yield further

benefits, as the need to cut down trees in order to produce paper will be

diminished, thus helping to alleviate the environmental concerns over

unsustainability in regards to deforestation. 42 percent of global wood

harvest is used to produce paper, and paper products represent one of the

greatest components of landfills, accounting for a third of municipal waste

(The World Counts, 2014). Currently, alternative fibres only account for

less than 10 percent of fibre in paper and packaging (GreenBiz, 2011).

Research and development into the use of crop residue, a promising

alternative, is continually being extended today, with a growing number

tree-free paper products emerging on the market.

Demand for wood products such as paper, furniture and construction

materials are major cause of damage to tropical forests—and that demand

is projected to increase over the next half-century (Elias & Boucher

“Planting for the Future”, 2014). The most notable increases in projected

wood product consumption by 2060 will be in pulp and paper (Elias &

Boucher “Planting for the Future”, 2014, p. 14). 40% of the world’s

industrial logging goes into making paper, and this is expected to reach 50%

in the near future (The Paperless Project, 2014). The U.S. uses

approximately 68 million trees each year to produce paper and paper

products (The Paperless Project, 2014). Worldwide consumption of paper

has risen by 400% in the last 40 years with 35% of harvested trees being
6
 used for paper manufacture (The Paperless Project, 2014). In the last 20

years, the usage of paper products has increased from 92 million tons to 208

million, which is a growth of 126% (The Paperless Project, 2014). The pulp

and paper industry is the fourth largest industrial user of energy, consuming

6.4 EJ in 2005, and a significant emitter of greenhouse gas (source EIA

report, 2008). Worldwide the pulp and paper industry is the fifth largest

consumer of energy, accounting for 4% of all the world’s energy use (The

Paperless Project, 2014). (https://www.statista.com/topics/1701/paper-

industry/)

2.1.3 Production of Paper

Paper is an important material, used daily for many purposes

worldwide. The global production of paper and cardboard stood at

approximately 407 million metric tons in 2014. More than half of that

production was attributable to packaging paper, while almost one third was

attributable to graphic paper. The world's three largest paper producing

countries are China, the United States, and Japan. These three countries

account for half of the world’s total paper production, while the leading

paper importing and exporting countries are Germany and the United States.

2.2 Related Studies

2.2.1 Corn Husk as An Alternative Raw Material for Paper Making

The study conducted by T.K. Fagbemigun, O.D. Fagbemi, O.

Otitoju, E. Mgbachiuzor, and C.C. Igwe on “Pulp and Paper-making

7
Potential of Corn Husk” on 2014 introduced the use of corn husk as an

alternative for making a paper. Chemical characterization of the sample

shows it is a ligno-cellulosic material with average lignin content, less than

20%, similar to several non-wood plants which help in reducing the amount

of chemical and energy needed for pulping. Other dimensional indices, i.e.

runkel ratio, flexibility coefficient, slenderness ratio and wall rigidity gave

a good insight into the qualities of the individual fibres present in the

material. Tensile strength of paper sheet produced from the pulp of corn

husk shows that the materials could be considered as an alternative raw

material for papermaking applications. Despite the fact that this study

presented relatively poor flexibility and runkel ratios, pulp produced from

corn husk can be mixed with softwood, hardwood or recycled paper pulps

to produce paper with increased printability, tearing strength and

mechanical strength. ( T.K. Fagbemigun et al. 2014).

C.A. Mendes et al. (2014) conducted a study on characterization of

corn husk residue where they used five corn husk samples that were

collected from disposal areas of small street markets where the samples

were cleaned manually to remove foreign materials in the corn husk and

were dried by the sun for 4(four) days. Then the samples were gathered

again and hammered. The researchers then perform tensile testing and

evaluate the morphology of the corn husk. The chemical composition of

corn husk comprised 34-41% hemicellulose, 31-39% cellulose, 2-14%

lignin, 3-7% ash, 10-18% extractives and water-soluble components.

8
According to the results, corn husk has low lignin content and similar

amounts of hemicellulose and a-cellulose to those of the other fibers

considered.

According to the research made by P. Kampeerapappun et. al.

(2015), corn husk is an abundant, inexpensive, and readily available source

of renewable lignocellulosic biomass. The material obtained after each

stage of the treatments made by the researchers was characterized and

determined according to TAPPI Standard Methods, or a process of

measuring the contents of a substance. The results of the research are as

follows; cellulose and hemicellulose (TAPPI T203 OS-74), lignin (TAPPI

T222 OS-83). The results indicated that the untreated corn husk is

composed of 29.3wt% cellulose, 39.7wt% hemicellulose, and 11.4wt%

lignin. Chemical composition of water-soaked corn husk was not

significantly changed as compared to the untreated corn husk which means

that tap water does not significantly remove hemicellulose and lignin

content from corn husk. However, any remaining impurities (e.g. dirt and

dust) on corn husk are removed with water. Cellulose content can be

continuously increased via chemical treatment.

According to Eroglu, (1980), when Runkel ratio or Runkel’s

proportion is greater 1, it is assessed as fibre having thick wall and

cellulose obtained from this type of fibres is least suitable for paper

production. When Runkel ratio is equal to 1, cell wall has medium

thickness and cellulose obtained from this type of fibre is suitable for
9
 paper production. When the rate is less than 1, cell wall is thin and

cellulose obtained from these fibres is most suitable for paper making.

Therefore, the Runkel ratios for maize husk and a maize stalk of 1.23

implies that they are not suitable for paper production.

2.3 Synthesis of the Art

The various studies reviewed were similar in terms of paper pulping, the

use of corn husk as raw material in papermaking, identifying the chemical

properties of corn husk, and the process of paper folding, which makes it easier for

the researchers to accomplish the study. These studies play a vital role in the

research being conducted

The study of each researchers mentioned were similar in terms of using the

corn husk as raw material or as a paper, in additional, the researchers wanted to

make use of the previous studies and explore the extent of the paper corn husk such

as making this as paper bag out of the raw material – corn husk.

10
2.4 Conceptual Framework
THROUGHPUT
 Making the paper from corn husks
 Developing the proposed material for
testing for feasibility (Paper Bag)
(dependent variable)
INPUT  Testing of physical properties
(independent variable) Resistance to Water
Tear Strength
Corn Husk Weight Capacity

OUTPUT (comparison)
(dependent variable) Commercialized
Corn Husk Paper Bag Made
Paper Bag from Wood Pulp

Fig2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.5 Definition of Terms

 Adhesive - a substance used for sticking objects or materials together

 Corn Husk – outer covering of the ear of a corn that is used as a raw

material

 Paper Bag – small bag made of paper

 Pulp – a material from which paper is made

 Soda Ash – this will break down the fibers in the corn husk to make paper

easily out of it

 Sprinkle Test – simulation of rain on the paper bag to test its water

resistance

 Table Edge Test – a strip of paper is tested to know its tear strength

11
 Tear Strength – the resistance of a paper sheet to tearing force that it is

subjected to

 Water Resistance – how long the paper bag holds when subjected to water

 Weight Capacity – maximum amount of weight the paper bag can carry

 Wood Pulp – wood fiber reduced chemically or mechanically to pulp and

used in the manufacture of paper

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 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the various elements of the research design. It includes

the methods used, research instruments statistical tools or treatments, data gathering

procedures & quantifications of data.

Study Area

The preparation of the corn husk, making of the corn husk paper, and paper

folding are conducted in one of the researcher’s house, located at San Juan Bautista

St., Goa, Camarines Sur. This is due to the availability of the space and materials

for the time of experiment.

Experimental Design

The researchers made use of the experimental design where the independent

variables that affect the product or the outcome of the experiment will be gathered

for observations. In such conditions, the researchers will be able to predict the

outcome by manipulating the preconditions or inputs of the experiment. Under the

experimental research design will be the quasi experimental design where the

researchers will be able to control the amount of inputs or independent variables to

be able to get the required, and at the same time the desired, outcome of the

researchers. Quasi experimental design is suitable for the research since the

researchers are creating a product where the end result will base on the expected

outcome or the response of the results will depend on the purpose of the researchers.

Specifying the type of quasi-experimental design, the researchers used the matched
13
comparison-group design where the researchers will compare the output or product

of the experiment with the commercialized product.

Procedure or Step of Experiment

I. Collection of Corn Husk

The researchers collected corn husks from a farm located in Brgy. Gimaga,

Goa, Camarines Sur. The gathered corn husks are stored in normal room

temperature.

II. Making Paper out of Corn Husk

The corn husk was/were washed with little detergent and then rinsed. Then

it was simmered in soda ash for more than 2 hours. It is then put in the blender to

get the pulp. After blending, the pulp is poured in a large container with water.

Using a silkscreen, the pulp is filtered to get the raw paper. A sponge is used to dab

off excess water for fast drying. Then the wet paper is left to dry.

III. Paper Folding and Binding

A. The researchers took a piece of the corn husk paper, A4 size (8"x14") and

made a crease at the center.

B. The researchers pasted two sides of the paper together with glue, then

folded both sides of the paper.

C. The researchers opened the folds and along the creases made fold inwards

on both the sides and folded the bottom of the bag for a length of around 2 inches.

14
 D. Lastly, the researchers unfolded the last fold made.

IV. Tests

A. Water Resistance

To test the water resistance of the paper bag, the researchers

used the Sprinkle Test where the paper bag is sprayed with water

until it collapsed. The time it took to break the paper bag is noted.

B. Tear Strength

To measure the tear strength of the paper, the researchers

used the Table Edge Test. One end of strip of the corn husk paper is

taped on one edge of a table and the other end is taped on a can. The

can will be filled with rocks of different weight until the strip of

paper show indications of tearing. The same test is done to the paper

made from wood.

C. Weight Capacity

To determine the weight capacity of the corn husk paper bag, the

researchers filled the paper bag with rocks of different weights until it

breaks. The researchers used rocks weighing 250 grams, 500 grams,

750 grams, and 1000 grams. To determine the difference of the corn

husk paper bag and the wood paper bag, the same test will be acted upon

the latter.

15
Data Gathering

The results or data collected throughout the experiment were first based on

the researchers' observations. The moisture, texture and color produced in the

experiment were documented and stated on the results and discussions of the

research. On the experimental side of the collection of data, the evaluations were

made after the treatment of the corn husks. Content analysis is also used in

collection of the data where the researchers also based the results from other related

studies mentioned in the review of related literatures to support the study.

Statistical Analysis

This study will use the T-test to answer the objectives of the research. There

are 3 Paper bag samples for each test: Weight capacity test, tear strength test, and

water resistance test. T-test is used to determine whether there is a significant

difference between the two groups. With all inferential statistics, it is assumed that

the dependent variable fits a normal distribution.

16
 CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This chapter is the representation, analysis and interpretation of the data

gathered from the various tests conducted by the researchers in the proposed corn

husk paper bag.

4.1. Water Resistance, Tear Strength and Weight Capacity of Corn Husk Paper

Bag

The durability of the corn husk paper bag depends on its water resistance,

tear strength, and weight capacity. The weight capacity is the maximum amount of

weight the paper bag can carry, the tear strength is the resistance of the paper to

tearing force it is subjected to, and its water resistance is how long the paper bag

holds when subjected to water.

Table 4.1.1

Water Resistance of Corn Husk Paper Bag

Corn Husk Paper Bag Water Flow Time it took to collapse

Sample 1 2600mL 1.15 minutes

Sample 2 2600mL 1.15 minutes

Sample 3 26000mL 1.15 minutes

Table 4.1.1 shows the result of the test for the water resistance of the corn

husk paper bag. Based from the outcome, three samples collapsed with the same

measure of time, which is 1.15 minutes, after being sprayed with 2600mL of water.
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 Table 4.1.2

Tear Strength of Corn Husk Paper Bag

Strip of Corn Husk Paper Bag Weight Used REMARKS

Sample 1 500g Passed

Sample 2 1000g Passed

Sample 3 1500g Passed

Table 4.1.2 shows the result of the test for the tear strength of corn husk

paper bag. Based from the result, the paper used in making the paper bag is strong.

It did not tear up to 1500g.

Table 4.1.3

Weight Capacity of Corn Husk Paper Bag

Corn Husk Paper Bag Weight of object Inside REMARKS

Sample 1 500g Passed

Sample 2 1000g Passed

Sample 3 1500g Passed

Table 4.1.3 shows the result of the test for the weight capacity of corn husk

paper bag. Based from the data, the paper corn husk can carry materials weighting

from 500g to 2750g.

4.2 Comparison of the Properties of Wood Paper Bags and Corn Husk Paper Bags

Wood paper bags are the most common used paper bags in the world. This

research compared corn husk paper bags to wood paper bags to know if the

proposed product, corn husk paper bag, is a possible alternative to wood paper bags.

18
 Table 4.2.1

Water Resistance of Wood Paper Bag

Wood Paper Bag Water Flow Time it took to collapse

Sample 1 380mL 14 seconds

Sample 2 380mL 14 seconds

Sample 3 380mL 14 seconds

Table 4.2.1 shows the result of the test for the water resistance of the wood

paper bag. Based from the outcome, three samples collapsed with the same measure

of time, which is 14 seconds, after being sprayed with 380mL of water.

Table 4.2.2

Tear Strength of Wood Paper Bag

Strip of Wood Paper Bag Weight Used REMARKS

Sample 1 500g Passed

Sample 2 1000g Passed

Sample 3 1500g Passed

Table 4.2.2 shows the result of the test for the tear strength of wood paper

bag. Based from the result, the paper used in making the paper bag is strong. It did

not tear up to 1500g.

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 Table 4.2.3

Weight Capacity of Wood Paper Bag

Wood Paper Bag Weight of object Inside REMARKS

Sample 1 500g Passed

Sample 2 1000g Passed

Sample 3 1500g Passed

Table 4.2.3 shows the result of the test for the weight capacity of wood

paper bag. Based from the data, the wood paper bags can carry materials weighting

from 500g to 1500g.

Table 4.2.4

Comparison Between Wood Paper Bags and Corn Husk Paper Bag

Wood Paper Paper Bag from

Properties Remarks
Bag corn Husks

Corn Husk Paper

Lasted for 1.15
Lasted for 14 Bag is more water
minutes, under
Water Resistance seconds, under resistant than
2600mL of
380mL of water ordinary wood
water
paper bag.

Corn husk paper

Teared by a Teared by a bag has stronger
Tear Strength 1500g object 2750g object tear strength than
under tension. under tension. ordinary wood
paper bag.

Corn husk paper

bag has greater
Weight Capacity 1500g 2750g weight capacity
than ordinary
wood paper bag.

20
 Table 4.2.4 shows the comparison between wood paper bag and corn husk

paper bag. Based from the data, Corn husk is more water resistant, has stronger tear

strength, and greater weight capacity, compared to wood paper bag which is easily

broken when subjected to water, can be torn with less force and has lesser weight

capacity compared to corn husk paper bag.

21
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

The study focused on making a paper bag out of corn husks (Zea Mays),

which considered as waste with no beneficial importance. Weight capacity, tear

strength, and water resistance tests were done on the paper bag to test its durability.

In addition, corn husk paper bag and wood paper bag were compared and the data

gathered were noted. Quantitative was the method used for the testing of the

properties of the paper bags. The statistical analysis was performed using the T-test

to determine the difference between the two groups. Based from the results of the

test, the corn husk paper bag turned out to be more water and tear resistant and have

higher weight capacity than of an ordinary wood paper.

Conclusion

As stated from the experiments, Corn husk paper bag has more weight

capacity. It can carry weights weighing 500g to 2750g, while wood paper bags’

weight capacity is 1500g. The tear strength showed that both passed 1500g of

tension force. Wood paper bag tear under 1500g of object while corn husk paper

bag needs 2750g of tension force to tear. On terms of weight capacity, corn husk

paper bag has greater weight capacity (2750g) than wood paper bags (1500g).

Based from the results, the researchers therefore conclude that Corn husk paper

bags are durable. Also, there is a significant difference between the corn husk paper

22
bag and wood paper bag. In simple terms, corn husk paper bag is more durable than

wood paper bags.

Recommendations

This study finds that the Corn Husk (Zea Mays) Paper Bag can be used as

an alternative to wood paper bags. The researchers therefore recommend to the

Paper Industry to use corn husks as a raw material in making paper, most specially

in making paper bags.

To the future researchers for the same topic, it is recommended to widen the

variety of corn husk paper bags, ranging from small to large paper bags. Also, the

use of binding material in the making of the bag itself can be a factor contributing

to its durability.

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